Self-playing musical instrument.



No. 747,802. PATENTED DEC. 22, 1903; J. SUTER 65 W. LENK.

SELF PLAYING MUSICAL INSTRUMENT.

APPLICATION FILED FEB. a, 1903.

H0 MODEL. 3 SHEETS-SHEl-JT 1 I l L l7 5 I WITNESSES INVENTORY acafi dhier MM 75 5 1229] Lenfi PATENTED DEC. 22. 1903.

J. SUTER & W. LENK. v SELF PLAYING MUSICAL INSTRUMENT.

APPLIOATION FILED FEB 3, 1903.

a SHEETS-SHEET "2.

NO MODEL.

ATTORNEYS.

. WITNESSES! Mw 1 M PATENTED DEC. 22, 1903.

J. SUTER & W. LENK. SELF PLAYING MUSICAL INSTRUMENT.

APPLICATION FILED FEB. 3, 1903.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

K0 MODEL.

Ema.

N VE N TORY JacaZ J'uier 76rzze2jenk By WITNESSES:

ETERS co, vnoTo-u'mofl WASNINGION, D. 0

UNITED STATES Patented December 22, 1903.

PATENT OFFICE.

JACOB SUTER AND WENZEL LENK, OF JERSEY CITY, NEW JERSEY.

SELF- PLAYlNG MUSiCAL lNSTRUMENT.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 747,802, dated December 22, 1903.

Application filed February 3, 1903. $eria1 No. 141,650. iNo model.)

T0 at whom, it may concern:

Be it known that we, JACOB SUTER and WENZEL LENK, both citizens of the United States, and residents of Jersey City, in the county of Hudson and State of New Jersey, have invented a new and Improved Self-Playing Musical'lnstrument, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description.

The invention relates to musical instruments of the zithern type; and its object is to provide a new and improved self-playing musical instrument arranged to pick the strings, actuate bells or other sounding devices, and to insure a proper gradation of the tones according to the requirements of the music produced and indicated on the notesheet.

Theinvention consistsof novel features and parts and combinations of the same, as will be more fully described hereinafter and then pointed out in the claims.

A practical embodiment of the invention is represented in the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification, in which similar characters of reference indicate corresponding parts in all the views.

Figure l is a plan View of the improvement. Fig. 2 is an enlarged crosssection of part of the same on the line 2 2 of Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is plan View of the same. .Fig. 4 is an enlarged longitudinal sectional elevation of the improvement on the line 4 4 of Fig. 1. Fig. 5 is an enlarged cross-section of a plurality of strings and their dampers and pickers in different positions. Fig. 6 is an enlarged crosssection of the gradation device on the line 6 6 of Fig. 7. Fig. 7 is a cross-section of the same on the line 7 7 of Fig. 6. Fig. 8 is a plan view of the same; and Fig. 9 is an enlarged side elevation of the improvement, part of the note-sheet being broken out.

The body A of the musical instrument is of suitable construction and carries s unding devices, such as strings B and bells (J, for instance, the said bells being preferably rested on a bracket C, attached to the body A. The

strings B are stretched in the usual manner over the sounding-board, and the said strings and the bells C are adapted to be engaged by sounders D and E, respectively, of which the sounders D are in the shape of pickers for picking the strings and the sounders E are in the form of strikers or hammers for striking the bells 0. Both sets of sounders D and E are controlled from a note-sheet F, preferably in the form of an endless band having apertures representing the notes of the piece of music to be played by the instrument.

Each sounder d has a sounder-lever D extending in the direction of the length of its string and fulcru med on a transverse rod D carried by the body A, so that the lever can swing up and down. The sounder-lever D is made of spring metal to allow it to swing sidewise by its own resiliency to move into operative position when released or into a non-operative position, as hereinafter more fully explained. On the forward free end of each sounder-lever D is arranged a depending arm D carrying a transversely-extending picker D in the shape of a lug for picking the string in an upward direction, the said arm D normally standing to one side of the string and spaced therefrom, with the picker a distance below the string, as plainly indicated in Fig. 5.

On the face of the arm D, next to its string B, is a piece of felt or other material forming a damper D for damping the string immediately previous to the picker D rising and picking the string.

Each sounder-lever D is connected by a link G with a note-sheet lever H, fulcrumed on a frame I, attached to the body'A, and the said lever rests with its free end H on the note-sheet to hold the sounder-lever D against the tension of its spring in a normal positionthat is, with the picking-arm I) and the picker D a distance from the corresponding string. Now when the note-sheet travels and the free end H of the note-sheet lever I-I drops into a note-sheet aperture then the sounder-lever D is released and swings by its own resiliency into an operative posit.ionthat is, the damper D moves into engagement with the side of the string and damps the same-and the picker D is now immediately below the string, so that on now swinging the sounder-lever upward the string is picked. As soon as the string has been picked the aperture in the traveling note-sheet leaves the free end of the note-sheet lever H, and the latter is thereby returned to its normal position, whereby a pull is exerted by the link G on the sounder-lever D to swing the same back against the tension of its spring, and thereby swing the picker D and its arm D away from the string. The sounder-lever now swings downward to its normal position by its own weight or by the action of a spring.

In order to impart an upward swinging picking motion to the sounder-levers as described, the following device is provided: A continually-rotatable shaft J, journaled in suitable bearings, extends transversely over the strings B and carries a plurality of starwheels K, one for each picking-lever D, and each of the latter is provided on the side adjacent to its star-wheel with a pin or frictionroller D normally out of engagement with the arms of the star-wheel-that is, as long as the sounder-lever is in a normal position. Now when a sounder-lever D is released, as above described, and moves into damping position then the friction-roller D engages an arm of the rotating star-wheel K and is carried upward by the latter, thus imparting an upward-swinging motion to the sounder-lever for the picker D to pick the string, and when this is done the sounder-lever D is pulled back, as mentioned, to disengage the friction-roller D from the star-wheel K. The sounder-lever now drops downward to its normal position by its own weight or by the action of a spring, as previously mentioned.

The strikers or hammers forming the sounders E for the bells O are secured on the free ends of sounder levers D similar to the sounder-levers D, and likewise connected by links G with note-sheet levers H arranged alongside the levers H, and likewise actuated by the note-sheet, the same as the levers H. Each of the sounder-levers D is provided with a friction-roller D for engagement by a star-wheel K, secured on the shaft J, previously mentioned.

Now when the music calls for the sounding of a bell the corresponding aperture in the note-sheet registers with the lever H so that the sounder-lever D of this lever is released, and' consequently the sounder-lever D swings into an operative positionthat is, its friction-roller engages the corresponding star-wheel K for the latter to impart an upward swinging motion to the sounder-lever D "When this has been done, the note-sheet by having its aperture leave the lever H draws the sounder-lever D back out of engagement with the star-wheel K, so that the sounder-lever now swings downward by its own weight and in doing so the sounder E sounds the corresponding bell.

Each of the levers D and D has its rear end D abuttingagainst a felted stop-rail L, carried by the body A, to limit the downward swinging motion of the said levers.

The shaft J receives a continuous rotary motion from a motor N, which also imparts a traveling motion to the note-sheet F, the said motor N being of any approved construction. As shown, the shaft J has a frictional gearing connection with the motor-that is, the shaft J carries a friction-wheel J, in mesh with a friction-wheel N, driven by the motor.

A shaft N driven by the motor N, is provided at its upper end with a bevel gearwheel N in mesh with a pinion O, secured on a shaft 0 carrying a drum 0, provided at its sides with toothed wheels 0 for engaging spaced apertures F formed on the sides of the note-sheet F, so that when the drum 0 is rotated a traveling motion is given to the note-sheet F to bring the apertures F therein in register with the free ends of the levers H and H as previously explained.

The note-sheet F in passing to the drum 0 passes between a rod 1, held on the frame I, and a roller 1 journaled in a cross-bar I hinged at one end on the frame I and adapted to be locked in place therein by a hook I engaging the free end of the cross-bar. (See Figs. 4: and 9.) By swinging the hook 1 11pward the cross-barl may be readily swung away from the note-sheetto allow of convenient removal of the note-sheet and the placing of another in position on the drum. Below the roller I is arranged a second roller i likewise journaled in the cross-bar l and the said cross-bar and rollers l and I are so located that the ends H of the lever H engage the note-sheet below the rod 1, and as the rollers I and l are on the opposite or outer face of the sheet it is evident that the note-sheet is not bent outward by the ends H of the levers H, which are under tension by the action of the spring sounder-levers D and D which tend to press the ends H against the inner face of the note-sheet.

In order to produce the desired gradation of tones as called for by the piece of music, the following device is provided, (see Figs. 1, 6, 7, and 8:) A slide Q is mounted to slide in suitable bearings and extends transversely over the strings, and on the said slide Q are secured upwardly-extending arms Q, one for each sounder-lever D, to allow the latter to swing a desired distance when released, so that the picker picks the string with more or less force according to the position of the arm Q at the time. On one end of the slide Q is secured an upwardly-extending lug or pin Q projecting into an angular slot R, formed on the hub R of a double arm R, pivotally connected at its free ends with upwardly-extending links T T, having lugs T and T respectively, adapted to be alternately engaged by a pin U, held in a loop U formed on the free end of a spring-lever U, similar to the lever D, and likewise connected by a link G with a note-sheet lever ll. The pin U extends to one side of the loop U to move into engagement with a star-wheel K secured on the shaft J, and hence when the lever H is allowed to drop by a corresponding aperture in the note-sheet registering with the said lever then the lever U is released and its pin U moves in engagement with the star-wheel K As the latter rotates it imparts an upward swinging motion to the lever U, and consequently the pin U engages the lug T orT then in a lowermost position, to impart an upward movement to the corresponding lug and its link T or T to rock the arm B, so that the slot R acts on the pin Q to slide the slide Q transversely'across the strings, so that the arms Q move nearer to or farther from the sounder-levers D, thus limiting the swinging motion of the said levers when released, and consequently causing the pickers D to pick the strings with more or less force.

By the arrangement described any desired gradation-such as piano, pianissim o, forte, fortissimo can be obtained, it being understood, however, that the lever H is controlled by a separate row of apertures in the notesheet F, and the said apertures are of different lengths according to the gradation desired, so that the spring-lever U is caused to swing upward a distance more or less according to the length of time the lever is held in a released position. It is understood that it the lever U is released but for an instant the star-wheel K can lift the lever but a short distance; but in case a long aperture is in register with the lever H then the lever U is released for a longer period, and consequently this lever is lifted higher and the slide is shifted a longer distance. It is further understood that the double arm R remains in the position to which it is moved until the next release of the lever U, so that the instrument plays at a certain gradation until the slide Q is again shifted. When the link T is moved upward by the pin U of the lever U, then the slide Q is shifted to bring the arms Q nearer to the sounder-levers D- that is, to produce a piano or pianissimo tone-and when the other link T is moved upward the slide Q is moved in the reverse direction to allow the levers D to swing farther over for the pickers D to fully pick the strings and produce forte orfortissimo tones.

W hen thenote-sheet F is placed in position on the drum 0, then the body of the notesheet acts on all the levers H, H and H to impart a swinging motion to the same to pull on the sounder-levers D, D and U and swing the same sidewise under tension. The motor when started imparts a traveling motion to the note-sheet F, and as soon as one of its apertures F comes in register with the free end of a lever H, H or H then the corresponding-sounder-lever D, D or U is released, and this lever now swings sidewise into operative position to be subsequently swung upward by the corresponding starwheel K, K, or K for the purpose t'ully described above. Thus when a sounder-lever D is acted on it sounds its corresponding s\ring, and when a sounder-lever D is allowed to drop it sounds its bell, and the lever U causes a shifting of the slide Q to vary the gradation of the tones.

l l and i l l l \Patent- \operative position relative l 3. A self-playing l I The note-sheet F is firmly stretched between the drum 0 and the rod 1 and rollers and the free ends H of the levers H, H and H engage the note-sheet at the said stretched portion.

The connection between the links G, G, and G and their levers D, D and U, respectively is preferably adjustable to allow of i adjusting the said levers relative to the notesheet levers H, H and H to bring the latter in correct. position to the note-sheet and the pickers in proper relation to the strings and star-wheels. 1 Having thus described claim as new and desire to secure our invention, we by Letters l. A self-playing musical instrument havingsounding devices, spring-actuating levers for sounding the sounding devices,thesaid actuating-levers being mounted to swing up and down on their fulcrum and free to swing sidewise owing to their resiliency, note-sheet levers connected with the actuating-levers, a note-sheet controlling said note-sheet levers to normally hold the actuating-levers out of to the sounding devices, and to release the same when a desired tone is to be produced, and continuously-revolving means for engaging the actuating-levers when released to move the said levers in engagement with the sounding devices, to sound the same, as set forth.

2. A self-playing musical instrument provided with sounding devices,means for sounding the sounding devices including resilient sounder-levers, a note-sheet normally hold ing said means with the sounder-levers out of operative position relative to the sounding devices, the said note-sheet being constructed to release the said sounding means to permit the sounder levers to move by their resiliency into operative position, and revolving star-wheels for engagement by the said levers to actuate the levers and thereby sound the sounding devices, as set forth.

' musical instrument provided with sounding devices,means for sounding the sounding devices including sounderlevers, a note-sheet for normally holding said means with the sounder-levers out of engagement with the sounding devices, the notesheet having apertures for releasing the said means, revolving mechanism for engagement by the sounder-levers when released to actuate the latter and thereby sound the sounding devices and atone-gradation device comprising a slide provided with arms one for each sounder-lever, the said slide being controlled from the note-sheet, as set forth.

4. A self-playing musical instrument, comrising sounding devices,sounderlevers provided with means for sounding the sounder devices, means for actuating the sounderl levers, a tone-gradation device comprising a l slide provided with arms one for each sounderlever, and means for actuating the slide to thelevers, for their move the arms toward or from the sounderlevers to limit the movement of the latter as set forth.

5. A self-playing musical instrument, comprising sounding devices, sounder-levers for the same mounted to move up and down on their fulcrum and having springs for moving the levers sidewise into operative position relative to the soundingdevices, means foractuating the sounder-levers when passinginto nected With the sounder-levers, the note-sheet normally holding the sounder-levers against the tension of their springs and out of operlevers sition, as set forth.

6. A self-playing musical instrument, having sounding devices, spring sounder-levers for the same mounted to swing up and down on their fulcrum and free to swing sidewise owing to their resiliency, means for holding the said levers, normally out of operative position relative to the sounding devices, and continuously-revolving Wheels, for engaging thesounder-levers, to actuate the same when released, as set forth.

7. A self-playing musical instrument, having sounding devices, spring sounder-levers resiliency, levers engaging a note-sheet,and connected with the sounder-levers for holding the same ont'of operative position relative to the sounding devices and for releasing a sounder-lever When a desired tone is to he produced, and actuating means for the said sounder-levers, to actuate the latter when released, the said actuating means comprisinga continuouslyrevolving shaft, star-wheels secured thereon, each sounding device, the sounderlevers having projections for engagement with the arms of the star-Wheels, as set forth.

8. A self-playing musical instrument, havingstrings, spring-pressed levers havingpickers for picking the strings, normally out of operative position relative to the strings, and continuously-revolving star-wheels, adapted I0 be engaged by projections on the said levers when the latter are released to actuate pickers to pick the strings, as set forth.

9. A self-playing musical instrument, havingstrings, spring-pressed levers having pick ers for picking the strings, normally out of the strings, continuously-revolving star-Wheels, adapted to be engaged by pro ections on the said levers levers, for their pickers to pick the strings, note-sheet levers adapted to be released by note-sheet recesses registering With the levers, said levers being normally held against Yrelease by the note-sheet body, and links connecting the note-sheet levers with the ispring-pressed sounding-levers, as set forth. I 10. Aself-playingmusicalinstrument,hav- I ingstrings,spring-pressed levers having pickers fol-picking the strings, normally out of opl erative position relative to the strings, continuously-revolving star-wheels, adapted to be engaged by projections on the said levers [when the latter are released to actuate the J levers, for their pickers to pick the strings, and a tone-gradation device for shifting the said spring-pressed levers, controlled by the n0te-sheet, the tone-gradation device being actuated by one of the star-wheels, as set forth.

1' l l l sounders for the sounding device, means for sliding the slide in either direction, a lever controlled by a note-sheet, for moving the said means into position, and a revoluble star-Wheel for actuating the said means, to impart motion to the slide, as set forth.

13. A self-playing musical instrument having a tone-gradation device, comprising a slide havingarms for engaging the sounders for the sounding device, a double arm mountdouble arm and having lugs, a lever controlled by a note-sheet and carryinga pin for alternately engaging the lugs on the said links, and a siar-wheel forengaging the said lever, to lift the latter and with it the arm carried at the time, as set forth.

14. A self-playing musical instrument pro- /vided with note-sheet levers engaged by a l note-sheet, spring-sounder levers mounted to swing up and down on their fulcrum and free to swing sidewise, owing to their resiliency, a link between a sounder-lever and the 1 corresponding note-sheet lever, to release the sounder-lever and to allow the same to move i into an operative position on the correspondling note-sheet lever being actuated by the note-sheet, a sounder held on each sounder- I lever, for actuating the sounding device, and l a revoluble starwheel, for engaging the sounder-lever, to impart a swinging motion to the lever, to cause the sounders to sound I the sounding device, as set forth. 15. Aself-playing musical instruinenthavl ing strings and bells, levers having pickers [for picking the strings, levers having ham- I mers for striking the bells, a note-sheet, lef vers connected with the picker-levers and the A notehammenlevers and controlled by the IIO i l l direction, and mechanism for actuating the said means, as set forth.

In testimony whereof we have signed our names to this specification in the presence of 15 two subscribing Witnesses.

JACOB SUTER. WENZEL LENK.

Witnesses HERMANN HOFFMANN, PAUL BECKER. 

